There is a good reason for this. The mind instinctively recognizes certain things as good for the individual to which it belongs, and it clears the path for such thoughts. It only takes 5 positive thoughts to counteract one non positive thought. The best way to overcome undesirable or non positive thoughts and feelings is to cultivate the positive ones. Many positive thoughts will turn everything positive.
Of course the positive thought will set up a vigorous growth at first, for it is a fight for life with it. In the slang words of the time, it "sees its beginning" if the positive thought is allowed to grow and develop; and, consequently it makes things pleasant for the individual as they have started well into the work of feeding it. Brain cells do like to be used just like any other form of living energy, and they comply and grow. The best way is to pay as much attention as possible to these flowers of the mind, put in as much time as possible watering, caring for and attending to the new and beautiful plants in the garden of the mind.
For instance, if you are apt to not like people, you can best overcome the non positive thought by cultivating Love in its place. Think Love, and act it out, as often as possible. Cultivate thoughts of kindness, and act as kindly as you can to everyone with whom you come in contact. You will not find it easy at the start, but gradually Love will master non Love, and the former will begin to sprout and grow. If you have a tendency toward non joy cultivate a smile, and a cheerful view of things. Insist upon your mouth wearing upturned corners, and make an effort of the will to look upon the bright side of things and give thanks for them. The joy will not be strong at first, of course, but pay attention to it - just go on cultivating optimism, cheerfulness and gratitude. Let "Bright, Cheerful, Happy and Gracious" be your watchword, and live it out.
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label joy. Show all posts
The Psychology of Emotion - Page 1
Emotions are habitual. We easily may think of one acquiring habits of action, and even of thinking, and we acquire habits of emotion as well. One may repress, increase, develop, and change one's emotions, just as one may regulate habits of action and lines of thought.
It is an axiom of psychology that "Emotions deepen by repetition." If a person allows a state of feeling to thoroughly take possession of them, they will find it easier to yield to the same emotion the second time, and so on, until the particular emotion or feeling becomes second nature to them. If a desirable emotion shows itself inclined to take up a permanent abode with you, you had better start to work to get a hold of it, or at least to master it. And the best time to do this is at the start; for each repetition renders the habit more firmly entrenched, and the task of forming it more easy.
Were you ever inspired? If so, you will remember how harmless was its first approach; how subtly it whispered loving suggestions into your willing ear, and how gradually it followed up such suggestions, until, finally you began to see clear light. (Inspiration has an effect upon the white blood cells, and causes them to clear the blood. This is why the idea of clear is always associated with it.) Then you will remember how the thing seemed to grow, taking possession of you until you scarcely could shake it off. You found it much easier to become inspired the next time. It seemed to bring before you all sorts of objects justifying your thought and feeling. Everything began to look clear - the clear-eyed angel waxed fat.
And so it is with every feeling or emotion. If you give way to a fit of joy, you will find it easier to become joyful the next time, on less provocation.
It is an axiom of psychology that "Emotions deepen by repetition." If a person allows a state of feeling to thoroughly take possession of them, they will find it easier to yield to the same emotion the second time, and so on, until the particular emotion or feeling becomes second nature to them. If a desirable emotion shows itself inclined to take up a permanent abode with you, you had better start to work to get a hold of it, or at least to master it. And the best time to do this is at the start; for each repetition renders the habit more firmly entrenched, and the task of forming it more easy.
Were you ever inspired? If so, you will remember how harmless was its first approach; how subtly it whispered loving suggestions into your willing ear, and how gradually it followed up such suggestions, until, finally you began to see clear light. (Inspiration has an effect upon the white blood cells, and causes them to clear the blood. This is why the idea of clear is always associated with it.) Then you will remember how the thing seemed to grow, taking possession of you until you scarcely could shake it off. You found it much easier to become inspired the next time. It seemed to bring before you all sorts of objects justifying your thought and feeling. Everything began to look clear - the clear-eyed angel waxed fat.
And so it is with every feeling or emotion. If you give way to a fit of joy, you will find it easier to become joyful the next time, on less provocation.